A.J. McCarron is not a threat to Andy Dalton

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron celebrates after a touchdown pass against the Oklahoma Sooners during a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports)

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Alabama QB A.J. McCarron with a fifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft. As soon as McCarron’s name was announced, speculation began whether or not he’ll eventually replace Andy Dalton as the Bengals’ starting quarterback.

The Bengals do have long-term plans for McCarron, but those plans include backing up Dalton for multiple seasons.

“Each and every year we have been in that one-year, two-year backup quarterback model,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis told Bleacher Report’s Dan Pompei. “We kind of wanted to make sure we got somebody who could fit that role for a longer period of time if that’s what they ended up being, if that’s what their lease on life was.”

Dalton, meanwhile, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The quarterback and the organization are currently at an impasse in negotiations. Both sides would like to get something done before the start of the season, but it may not happen.

Dalton also has to prove himself. He played well at the onset of his career, but he fell flat in the playoffs. The team could decide to move on from Dalton if he can’t lead the Bengals deeper into the playoffs.

McCarron simply provides insurance at quarterback.

“His ability to be the leader of the team and get the most out of people, we really liked,” Lewis said. “We feel he will continue to grow and mature, which will give him every bit of arm strength to be a proficient player in the NFL. We felt he has the ability to grow to be a starting quarterback.”